Breeders' Cup ChampionshipNBC 1 PM For a female, Horse of the Year doesn't bring the samerewards as Woman of the Year. Riboletta, the 4-5 favorite intoday's 1 1/8-mile, $2 million Distaff, will never marry SpencerTracy. Yet, with a victory the mare from Brazil could become thefirst female HOTY since Lady's Secret in 1986. However, should'99 Belmont Stakes champ Lemon Drop Kid or 2000 Kentucky Derbywinner Fusaichi Pegasus win the 1 1/4-mile, $4 million Classic,richest of the eight races from Churchill Downs, it's a good betthe award will remain a colt's domain.

Lakers at SpursTNT 8 PM If San Antonio's 1999 championship is diminished by thatseason's lockout, it's no less tarnished than Los Angeles's 2000title for not having met the Spurs in the playoffs. Last seasonthe Spurs handed the Lakers three of their 15 regular-seasonlosses, including two at tonight's site, the Alamodome.

THURSDAY 11/9

Kansas vs. UCLAESPN2 6:30 PM Last season, after following the Dave Matthews Bandon tour the previous summer, 7'1" Kansas center Eric Chenowithplayed with indolence, earning himself the Greg Ostertag amongNBA scouts. During the off-season Chenowith, a senior, dedicatedhimself to regaining his strong sophomore form. Now, if only he'dswitch band allegiances from DMB to The Jayhawks. Chenowith'steam plays the Bruins in the opener of the Coaches vs. CancerIKON Classic at Madison Square Garden. The nightcap pits Kentuckyand St. John's.

Don't Miss

SATURDAY 11/4

Virginia Tech at MiamiClemson at Florida StateCBS NOON; ESPN 7:30 PM Sprains threaten to drain some of thedrama from this Sunshine State doubleheader featuring four of thetop 10 teams in the land. Quarterbacks Woody Dantzler of Clemson(8-1) and Michael Vick of Virginia Tech (8-0), as well as Miami(6-1) linebacker Dan Morgan, a Butkus Award semifinalist, willattempt to play on gimpy ankles. Meanwhile, Florida State (8-1)has the surest footing in quarterback Chris Weinke (above), whohas tossed 23 touchdown passes. Today's winners remain in therunning for another Florida date--the national championship gameat the Orange Bowl 60 days hence.

ALL TIMES EASTERN. SCHEDULES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE.

COLOR PHOTO: TOM DIPACE

THE ZAPPER

Was that a prayer vigil or the World Series we watched last week?When it came to crowd shots at Shea and Yankee stadiums, Fox's 22cameras favored fervid fans with hands pressed together insupplication. Whether they were petitioning for victory or asub-four-hour game is anyone's guess.... Fox's pregame andpostgame music videos for the World Series finale--respectively,Bruce Springsteen's Jungleland and the Andrea Bocelli-SarahBrightman operatic duet Time to Say Goodbye--were inspired. Weassume that had the Series gone to a Game 6, Elton John's RocketMan would have led off.